AMBITIOUS Shwan Jalal is being tracked by Leeds United but won’t be heading for Elland Road until the new year – at the earliest.

Woking’s England National Game XI goalkeeper had a two-day trial with the Coca-Cola Championship strugglers this week.

And both Jalal and Cards boss Glenn Cockerill confirmed the 23-year-old would be returning to Yorkshire for further monitoring at the next convenient date.

Jalal, outstanding since joining Woking on a permanent deal from Spurs in 2004, made no secret of his desire to play at the highest level. But he insisted his immediate and medium term future was at Kingfield with the transfer window currently shut.

“I would like to think there is an opportunity there but you never know in football,” Jalal said yesterday.

“I spent two days up there and it was a great experience.”

But Jalal, who linked up again with his old White Hart Lane pal Neil Sullivan, went on: “I am a Woking player and I’m enjoying the run of form we are having. All I can do is my best.”

When quizzed about a possible Leeds deal, Jalal remained cautious: “I can’t comment on that. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

“Every player wants to play at the highest level but at the moment my responsibility is to Woking, where I still have a year to run on my contract.”

On the prospect of a further trial, he added: “I hope so. I had a good chat with the people up there. They kept monitoring Jermaine Beckford and finally signed him and hopefully they will do the same with me.”

Cockerill explained: “Leeds rang to tell me they had been monitoring Shwan, had liked what they’d seen and were looking to add a keeper to their squad. He trained on Monday and Tuesday this week – they were pleased with him and want to see him again when we next have a free week.”

The Cards boss refused to put a valuation on his keeper’s head – publicly at least.

“Any player is only worth what a club is willing to pay for him,” he said. “We haven’t spoken about that. Shwan has done very well for me. It was neck and neck between him and Adriano Basso the season before last and we have seen what Adriano has achieved since at Bristol City.

“We have had some good players here. In the last few years a few have gone out to league clubs either permanently or on loan and that speaks volumes for the club.”

Cockerill’s first challenge is to find the right strike partner for leading scorer Craig McAllister now that Jon Nurse has returned to Stevenage Borough, Tuesday’s opponents, following a successful month’s loan.

The Kingfield chief was anxious to hang on to the one-time Sutton United player – who helped turn the Cards’ season around as they won five of the eight games in which he appeared – following a poor start.

Nurse, who has departed with Woking handily placed at eighth in the Conference table, forged an exciting combination with McAllister but now Cockerill is weighing up his options. He may give the hit and miss Steve Ferguson his chance at Northwich tomorrow or even recent recruit Sayeed Sankoh – yet to start – who turned out for Cheltenham Town’s reserves on Wednesday.

More likely is a place in attack for 18-year-old Giuseppe Sole, who has scored five times from midfield but who prefers to play up front, with Steve Evans now fit again to return on the left after shrugging off a knee injury.

Cockerill refused to rule out Ollie Berquez either, who has played advanced roles previously with Canvey Island while Chris Sharpling is said to be nearing match fitness.

The Cards chief agreed a longer term contract offer to Sole may not be far away.

Having made a huge impression in the opening weeks of his first year as a professional, Cockerill said of the Horsell teenager: “If he carries on in the form he has shown us I’m sure that will be discussed in the next month or so.”

Cockerill is disappointed to be losing Nurse, who he tried to capture in the summer, but conceded: “Jon is a Stevenage player and until he is not wanted by them there’s not a lot I can do, but I will keep chasing.”

He is relishing a run of four massive games in the next 10 days – awaydays at Northwich and Stevenage prefacing home showdowns against Burton Albion a week today and then Aldershot Town (live on Sky Sports) on Monday October 9.

On the Vics trip, a familiar route for Cockerill and Co after their FA Cup and Trophy replay clashes last season, the manager said: “They’ve not got their home form going yet but we know they are a good side.

“We know what we have got to do and hopefully we can keep it going. The Conference is a terrific league and everyone is capable of beating each other.”

The Cards’ Supporters Club, looking to boost a dwindling membership, will be holding a Fans Forum at Kingfield on Monday October 16.